THE RUN TO THE ROSE IS A STEPPING STONE TO SPRING

$175,000, Group 2, three-year-olds set weights and penalties, 1200m

HISTORY

In racing terminology, The Run To The Rose has gone through its grades.

It started as a quality handicap in 2003, then was upgraded to Listed class in 2005, Group Three in 2007 and this year will be run as a Group Two.

As its name implies, it is the logical launching pad to the Group One Golden Rose.

THE BIGGEST NAMES TO WIN IT

As the prize money has increased, so has the calibre of winners. Hallowed Crown (2014), Pierro (2012), Smart Missile (2011) and Denman (2009) all won the race and are now successful stallions.

THIS YEAR'S FIELD

Chris Waller has Press Statement, Group One winner of the J J Atkins in his two-year-old season, and surprise packet Japonisme.

Godolphin also had two hopes, with Skyline Stakes winner Exosphere and lightly-raced colt Holler.

Raphael's Cat and Mr Optimistic will both need to jump sharply in class, while Redzel will be looking to improve on his performance in the San Domenico Stake two weeks ago when he finish 5th.

WHAT THOSE IN THE KNOW ARE SAYING

"He just keeps getting better and better and he's running time as well." Chris Waller on surprise packet Japonisme.

"To even consider putting him in a Group Two shows our opinion of him." Gai Waterhouse thinks Raphael's Cat can improve from a last-start win at Canterbury.

"The horse is going to measure up at some stage, but this is nice race that will test him out." Tony Noonan will prepare outsider Mr Optimistic for the race.

THE EARLY MONEY

Progressive sprinter Japonisme has been a shortening favourite moving in the market from $2.70 to $2.40 while Raphael's Cat has been backed from $12 into $9.50.

THE RECENT HISTORY

While it's the logical lead up to the stallion-making Golden Rose, history shows it takes a pretty special horse to make a winning progression. The only horses to do the double are Denman, Pierro and last year's winner Hallowed Crown.